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Eat Like Chefs and Bartenders at These Greasy Spoons

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The work life of a chef or bartender usually includes long hours that can (eventually) lead to late-night or early-morning visits to a greasy spoon. Just because they prepare some of the most sophisticated food and drink in the world doesn't mean they don't enjoy a good old-fashioned grease-laden meal from time to time like the rest of the city. Check out the map to see which greasy spoons they recommend—if you're lucky, you might just run into one of them.


· All Greasy Spoons Week Coverage [-ECHI-]

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Cozy Corner Diner & Pancake House

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If you're out by the California Blue Line stop in Logan Square, stop into Cozy Corner. Many, many chefs do, such as Mindy Segal, Cosmo Goss, Jason Vincent and Erik Chizeck from Barrelhouse Flat. Recommended dishes include "breakfast for dinner" and the corned beef hash.

Diner Grill

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Diner Grill is a favorite of many Chicago industry folk, including Chris Pandel, Jared Van Camp, Mike Sheerin, Erling Wu-Bower, and Josh Pearson. Order "the slinger" or "the dick burger." Pandel calls Diner Grill "a great intro into Chicago after hours greatness."

Kappy's Pancake House

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This suburban spot has the distinction of employing a former Charlie Trotter's employee and is run by cousins of the famous Palace Grill on Madison. Tony Priolo is a fan, he enjoys the omelettes.

Steak 'n Egger

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This tiny counter in Pilsen comes highly recommended by Pat Sheerin, Chris Curren, and Ryan McCaskey. Sheerin goes there "any time I have four-to-five hours of recovery time ahead of me, because it is coma inducing." High praise.

White Palace Grill

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White Palace Grill isn't just a favorite of Guy Fieri, it's also a spot that local chefs like The Publican's Brian Huston enjoy. Try the patty melt, blue plate specials, and eight types of chicken and waffles.

Huck Finn Restaurant

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Huck Finn Restaurants are a South Side staple. Stop into the location on S. Cicero in Oak Lawn and you might just run into Graham Elliot.

Au Cheval

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The crowd at Brendan Sodikoff's take on a diner includes chefs and bartenders: Rene DeLeon (Dawson), Doug Psaltis (Lettuce Entertain You), and Griffin Elliot (Sepia) among them.

Melrose Restaurant

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East Lakeview diner Melrose Restaurant is beloved by both Matthias Merges and The Bentley's Ian Flowers. Merges loves it because "it's been there forever and they actually have a few homemade items."

Jeri's Grill

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Cleetus Friedman calls Jeri's Grill a "good old late night shit show" and recommends the chicken fried steak and eggs at the quintessential hole-in-the-wall.

Eleven City Diner

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If you go to Eleven City Diner one day, you might run into Curtis Duffy or Lettuce Entertain You partner Marc Jacobs. Duffy sometimes brings his kids here.

Windy City Cafe

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While Senza's Noah Sandoval focuses on "sophisticated simplicity" at his restaurant, sometimes he eats at Windy City Cafe, the spot at the Chicago and Milwaukee intersection.

Hamburger King

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Hamburger King in Wrigleyville can be a confusing mix of classic diner fare and greasy Asian food. Dirk Flanigan, who has been a fan since 1988, recommends the Asian fare and the fact that they "serve togarashi with everything."

Flying Saucer

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Humboldt Park's Flying Saucer, only open until 3 p.m., is a go-to breakfast and lunch spot for many vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters. Found's Nicole Pederson enjoys the "La Bazza Bowl" while Giuseppe Tentori enjoys the "Trucker Bowl."

Hollywood Grill

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DineAmic corporate chef (Siena Tavern, Bull & Bear, Public House) David Blonsky loves the spot on the northeastern edge of Wicker Park because it has "one of his favorite reubens in the city."

Kevin's Hamburger Heaven

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Want to eat breakfast like Frontier chef Brian Jupiter? Then check out Kevin's Hamburger Heaven and order the T-bone steak and eggs. He calls it "a hell of a deal for $12. The steak is always tender and seasoned well. Two cooks crank it out, sometimes only one, and the place gets packed."

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Cozy Corner Diner & Pancake House

If you're out by the California Blue Line stop in Logan Square, stop into Cozy Corner. Many, many chefs do, such as Mindy Segal, Cosmo Goss, Jason Vincent and Erik Chizeck from Barrelhouse Flat. Recommended dishes include "breakfast for dinner" and the corned beef hash.

Diner Grill

Diner Grill is a favorite of many Chicago industry folk, including Chris Pandel, Jared Van Camp, Mike Sheerin, Erling Wu-Bower, and Josh Pearson. Order "the slinger" or "the dick burger." Pandel calls Diner Grill "a great intro into Chicago after hours greatness."

Kappy's Pancake House

This suburban spot has the distinction of employing a former Charlie Trotter's employee and is run by cousins of the famous Palace Grill on Madison. Tony Priolo is a fan, he enjoys the omelettes.

Steak 'n Egger

This tiny counter in Pilsen comes highly recommended by Pat Sheerin, Chris Curren, and Ryan McCaskey. Sheerin goes there "any time I have four-to-five hours of recovery time ahead of me, because it is coma inducing." High praise.

White Palace Grill

White Palace Grill isn't just a favorite of Guy Fieri, it's also a spot that local chefs like The Publican's Brian Huston enjoy. Try the patty melt, blue plate specials, and eight types of chicken and waffles.

Huck Finn Restaurant

Huck Finn Restaurants are a South Side staple. Stop into the location on S. Cicero in Oak Lawn and you might just run into Graham Elliot.

Au Cheval

The crowd at Brendan Sodikoff's take on a diner includes chefs and bartenders: Rene DeLeon (Dawson), Doug Psaltis (Lettuce Entertain You), and Griffin Elliot (Sepia) among them.

Melrose Restaurant

East Lakeview diner Melrose Restaurant is beloved by both Matthias Merges and The Bentley's Ian Flowers. Merges loves it because "it's been there forever and they actually have a few homemade items."

Jeri's Grill

Cleetus Friedman calls Jeri's Grill a "good old late night shit show" and recommends the chicken fried steak and eggs at the quintessential hole-in-the-wall.

Eleven City Diner

If you go to Eleven City Diner one day, you might run into Curtis Duffy or Lettuce Entertain You partner Marc Jacobs. Duffy sometimes brings his kids here.

Windy City Cafe

While Senza's Noah Sandoval focuses on "sophisticated simplicity" at his restaurant, sometimes he eats at Windy City Cafe, the spot at the Chicago and Milwaukee intersection.

Hamburger King

Hamburger King in Wrigleyville can be a confusing mix of classic diner fare and greasy Asian food. Dirk Flanigan, who has been a fan since 1988, recommends the Asian fare and the fact that they "serve togarashi with everything."

Flying Saucer

Humboldt Park's Flying Saucer, only open until 3 p.m., is a go-to breakfast and lunch spot for many vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters. Found's Nicole Pederson enjoys the "La Bazza Bowl" while Giuseppe Tentori enjoys the "Trucker Bowl."

Hollywood Grill

DineAmic corporate chef (Siena Tavern, Bull & Bear, Public House) David Blonsky loves the spot on the northeastern edge of Wicker Park because it has "one of his favorite reubens in the city."

Kevin's Hamburger Heaven

Want to eat breakfast like Frontier chef Brian Jupiter? Then check out Kevin's Hamburger Heaven and order the T-bone steak and eggs. He calls it "a hell of a deal for $12. The steak is always tender and seasoned well. Two cooks crank it out, sometimes only one, and the place gets packed."

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